LONGUEUIL – Porter Airlines has unveiled plans to introduce a dozen new routes this summer from the revamped Montreal Metropolitan Airport (MET) as it seeks to enhance its footprint in Canada’s competitive domestic airline market. The airline, which is Canada’s third-largest carrier, aims to put its significant investment of half a billion dollars to practical use.
On Tuesday, the Toronto-based airline announced its scheduled flights to various Canadian cities, including Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto (serving both Pearson and Billy Bishop airports), Halifax, and St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. These services will operate out of the Montreal-area airport, which has traditionally been used primarily for regional services, cargo flights, and aviation training.
The operations are set to commence on June 15, featuring 138 flights each week through the modernized hub. The airport is equipped to accommodate four million passengers annually and is located just a 20-minute drive from downtown Montreal in Longueuil, Quebec. This positioning makes it an attractive alternative to Trudeau Airport, which will maintain around 15 daily flights operated by Porter.
“I refer to this as Billy Bishop on steroids,” stated Porter CEO Michael Deluce during an interview at the new terminal, which boasts spacious halls, comfortable pleather seating, and USB charging ports. Unlike Billy Bishop Airport—limited to turboprop aircraft due to its short runway—this terminal can host Porter’s fleet of 52 jets. There is also future potential for Toronto’s island airport to accommodate jets if Ontario Premier Doug Ford proceeds with his plan to extend its runway by acquiring land owned by the city.
Deluce highlighted the strategic advantage of the MET, pointing out that half of the residential population in the Montreal area lives closer to this airport. He emphasized that local travelers tend to prioritize convenience when selecting an airport. Additionally, he noted the airport’s accessibility for visitors coming from outside Montreal who wish to explore the city.
Looking ahead, Deluce forecasts that the MET, formerly known as Saint-Hubert Airport, will rank among Canada’s ten busiest airports within two years, potentially achieving the seventh position within four years.
Porter Airlines is banking heavily on the success of this venture. In collaboration with YHU Infrastructure Partners, Porter and Macquarie Infrastructure Partners have invested over $400 million into the terminal. Originally, the estimated cost was around $200 million, with additional funds allocated for a planned hotel adjacent to the airport, which currently borders agricultural land.
Despite these optimistic projections, several challenges lie ahead. One significant hurdle is that, while the airport boasts modern facilities, it is currently limited to domestic flights only due to exclusivity clauses that permit only one local airport to operate international services. As a result, the MET cannot facilitate any foreign travel operations.
Furthermore, the rising cost of fuel, driven by geopolitical tensions arising from the war in Iran, has compelled Porter to impose fuel surcharges on bookings made with loyalty points. This spike in jet fuel prices has led to increased ticket costs on a global scale, thereby posing a risk to ticket sales and profitability.
Additionally, there has been a noted decline in demand for Canada-U.S. travel amid ongoing trade tensions initiated by former U.S. President Donald Trump. This situation is particularly concerning for Porter, as the airline had embarked on a rapid fleet expansion aimed at catering to cross-border travel.
Porter Airlines, which was founded in 2006 by Michael Deluce’s father, Robert Deluce, has its roots in Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, utilizing the central location to provide services from downtown Toronto. Robert Deluce currently serves as the executive chairman of the airline.
